Manchester United — Old Trafford

The Challenge

Few football clubs or stadiums around the world have a more storied or successful history than that of Manchester United and its iconic home at Old Trafford. In 2021, when the club finalised plans for new floodlighting at Old Trafford, it wanted to improve light quality on the pitch; meet broadcast standards set forth by the English Premier League, UEFA, and FIFA; reduce energy consumption; and eliminate costly maintenance. At the same time, it was critical that any new lighting system would also need to preserve the historic character and overall feel of the theatre setting at Old Trafford that Manchester United fans, and the world, have come to cherish.

The Solution

Following months of extensive research and exploring the offerings of various LED sports lighting manufacturers, the Club opted to partner with Musco Lighting and have its Total Light Control – TLC for LED™ system installed at Old Trafford. Working through a wide range of safety protocols brought about from the Covid-19 pandemic, Musco designed a customised TLC for LED® system that integrated cleanly into the leading edge of Old Trafford’s cantilevered roof, with electrical efficiencies included as a way to reduce the amount of cabling necessary and to keep the associated weight down. The new system achieves all the necessary broadcast standards, minimises glare throughout the stadium, reduces energy consumption by 20 per cent, and with Musco’s long-term parts and labour warranty, eliminates maintenance costs for the club well into the future.